A/HRC/31/10 of vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and the elderly. Cuba made recommendations. 57. Denmark commended Saint Lucia for its engagement in the universal periodic review and for having demonstrated progress in the protection and promotion of human rights since the previous cycle. Denmark noted that Saint Lucia had taken note, during its first review, of the recommendation to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Denmark held the strong hope that Saint Lucia would join the 158 States who were currently parties to that Convention. Denmark welcomed the engagement of Saint Lucia in the recent seminar in Costa Rica organized by the Convention against Torture Initiative, and hoped that the Initiative — which promoted exchanges and cooperation among Governments — could continue being useful to the Government of Saint Lucia in making progress on that issue. Denmark made recommendations. 58. Djibouti welcomed the progress made in implementing the recommendations accepted by Saint Lucia during the previous universal periodic review and noted the human rights achievements. It encouraged Saint Lucia to implement its National Strategic Plan for Health. Djibouti made recommendations. 59. Ecuador commended the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the adoption of policies to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and elderly persons. Ecuador praised the Government’s efforts to combat extreme poverty, in particular the 2014 policy on food security and nutrition, providing greater access to affordable, nutritious, safe and quality food. Ecuador made recommendations. 60. France made a statement and recommendations. 61. Georgia welcomed the signature by the Government of Saint Lucia of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and encouraged Saint Lucia to ratify the latter. Georgia commended the efforts of the Government to address difficulties related to access to food. Georgia made recommendations. 62. Germany commended Saint Lucia for ratifying two optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and for its efforts to introduce various bills as part of the Family Law and Domestic Violence Legal and Judicial Reform Project of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Germany expressed concern that consensual sexual activities between adults of the same sex continued to be illegal, even though there seemed to have been no convictions in the recent past. Germany considered it unfortunate that Saint Lucia had failed to raise awareness about discrimination against people on the ground of their sexual orientation, despite accepting a recommendation to do so during its previous review. Germany made recommendations. 63. Ghana applauded Saint Lucia for having accepted, during its previous review, the recommendations to ratify a number of important treaties, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Ghana was concerned at reported allegations of extrajudicial killings by the police, as well as of gender-based violence and discrimination against women. Ghana made recommendations. 64. Guatemala welcomed the establishment, in 2012, of the National Action Child Protection Committee; the adoption, in 2010, of a law to combat trafficking; and the adoption, in 2014, of a policy on food security and nutrition. Guatemala shared the view of the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding the importance of having an independent human rights national monitoring mechanism in accordance with the 10